Szeto HandymanSafety first
- We text before the jammed disposal job
- Clean when we go
Never put a hand into a disposal. Turn it off at the switch and, for anything beyond pressing the reset button, unplug it under the sink or turn off its breaker. Use tongs or pliers to remove objects. A disposal can start unexpectedly if the switch is bumped.
- Faucets, toilets and valves
- Traps and drain connections
- Water heaters on existing lines
- Disposals and supply lines
- Moving or adding pipe runs
- Sewer and main drain work
- Repiping and new gas lines
- Slab leaks
It hums but will not spin
A humming disposal is usually jammed. With the power off, insert the hex key that came with the unit, or a quarter-inch hex key, into the socket on the bottom center of the unit and work it back and forth until it turns freely. Remove the object with tongs. Then press the red reset button on the bottom, restore power and run cold water while turning it on.
- Hot angle stop
- Cold angle stop
- Faucet supply lines
- P-trap holding the water seal
- Drain arm into the wall
It does nothing at all
Press the reset button on the bottom. Check that it is plugged in and that the breaker has not tripped. If the switch is a wall switch, check the switch. If the unit still does nothing with power confirmed, the motor may have failed.
- Wide shotThe whole fixture and the space around it.
- Close-upLabels, model numbers, the leak or break.
- ConnectionsValves, pipes, wires or brackets.
- Send itText the photos with your cross street.
It leaks
- From the top, at the sink flange: the plumber’s putty or gasket has failed. The unit can be dropped and the flange resealed.
- From the side, at the dishwasher or drain connection: a loose clamp or a worn gasket, usually fixable.
- From the bottom or the body: the internal seals have failed. This usually means replacement.
Repair or replace
Jams, a tripped reset and leaks at the flange or connections are repairs. A unit that leaks from the body, a motor that will not run with power, rust inside the grinding chamber, or a unit that jams constantly are signs to replace. Replacement units often mount to the same flange if you stay with the same brand, which simplifies the swap. See garbage disposal replacement.
What affects the price
We do not list prices. What matters: the unit you choose and its horsepower, whether the existing mount and flange can be reused, whether the unit is plugged in or hardwired, the dishwasher connection, and space under the sink. A hardwired unit on a healthy circuit can be swapped like-for-like; a new circuit or a new outlet under the sink is not work we take on. We give a free estimate after photos.
Keeping it working
Run cold water before, during and after use. Avoid grease, fibrous peels, coffee grounds in quantity, bones and fruit pits. Grind small amounts at a time. If the sink drains slowly even with the disposal working, see clogged sink and drain repair.
Smells
A bad smell from the disposal is usually food stuck under the splash guard or in the grinding chamber. If your unit is the common brand, see InSinkErator reset and jam fixes. Grinding ice cubes and a bit of citrus peel, or scrubbing under the rubber splash guard with a brush, helps. Persistent smells can come from the drain line or a missing trap seal.
- Leaking from the body: replace
- Humming but not turning: try the hex key and reset
- Silent: check the reset button and the switch
- Leaking at the drain or dishwasher hose: repair
- Grinding noise: something hard inside
- Age and horsepower on the label
Noise
A grinding, metallic noise means something hard is inside, such as a spoon, a bottle cap or a fruit pit. Turn it off immediately, cut the power, and remove it with tongs. A rattling noise with nothing inside can mean the unit is loose on its mount.
- Hum or silenceA hum points to a jam, silence to power.
- Look underneathWater from the body means a cracked unit.
- Age and labelThe sticker on the side gives the model.
- Photo and textThe label and any leak underneath.
Septic homes
Homes on septic systems should use a disposal sparingly or use one made for septic.
Dishwasher drain
If you install a new disposal and connect a dishwasher, the knockout plug inside the disposal’s dishwasher inlet must be removed. If it is not, the dishwasher will not drain. We check this on every install.
A worked example
Say the unit under your sink hums on Monday, you free it with the hex key, and it works for a week, then hums again. Twice in a short stretch points to worn grinding parts or a habit, such as fibrous peels, sending scraps in faster than it can handle. If you change habits and it still jams, the unit is wearing out. Another example: you notice a damp cabinet floor and a drip from the bottom seam of the unit.
No clamp or gasket fixes that; budget for a new one. A third: the unit is silent, the reset button does nothing, and the outlet works with a lamp plugged in. The motor is done.
Old units in rentals
- Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–7 PM
- Closed Sunday
- Texts usually answered within the hour
In rentals, a dying disposal often shows up as tenant calls about smells and slow drains. Swapping it at turnover avoids those calls.
Choosing a replacement
Horsepower matters for heavy use; a larger motor grinds faster and jams less. Insulated units run quieter, which helps in open kitchens. Continuous-feed units run while you add scraps; batch-feed units run only with a cover in place, which some families prefer for safety.
If the new unit is a different brand, the sink flange usually changes too. Check the height of the new unit against the drain trap so the drain line lines up without new pipe. We confirm fit from photos before you buy.
What to send
A photo of the disposal label, the area under the sink, and the switch or plug.
Related guide: What goes into a handyman quote.
Photo checklist
- A short video of the sound it makes
- The canister bottom, to see if it is wet
- The age or date on the label
Questions we get
Why does my disposal hum?
It is jammed. Free it with the hex key on the bottom, with the power off.
Where is the reset button?
A red button on the bottom of the unit.
Can a leaking disposal be fixed?
Leaks at the flange or connections, yes. Leaks from the body, usually not.
- A neighbor works too
- Keys for the jammed disposal visit
Can you install a new one?
Yes, like-for-like on an existing setup.
Do I need a new outlet?
If there is none under the sink, that is outside our scope.
How long do disposals usually last?
It varies with use and model. A unit that has served many years and now leaks from the canister has usually reached its end.
- Quotes cost nothing
- The jammed disposal quote holds
Is a rattle always bad news?
Not always. A spoon or bottle cap in the chamber rattles too, so check with the power off and tongs.
Should I pay to fix a cheap unit?
If the fix is a loose fitting, yes. If the canister leaks, put the money toward a new one.
Can a bigger model fit under my sink?
Check the height and the room around the drain before choosing.
- Parts for the jammed disposal, priced first
- Bought one? Fine
Get a free estimate
Text a photo and your cross street. Free estimates, and most texts are answered within the hour.
Good to fix along with the jammed disposal
Easy to add on the same trip: disposal swaps under the sink or clogged sinks, drains and P-traps. If the cause is elsewhere, see dishwasher replacement; Faucet: repair or replace? and GFCI and switch replacement come up often too.
Repairs related to the jammed disposal
Available across the San Gabriel Valley, including West Covina, Covina, Baldwin Park, Azusa, Temple City, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Glendora.
For model-specific tips, read InSinkErator garbage disposal repair.